my HIST 200 course is a joke. the course is titled History and Film, but it's anything but. this is just me venting more than anything, prbbly won't make much sense but i thought i'd record it. heard this course was good from ppl who took it before, but the prof that used to teach it retired, and now there's this new chick who has decided to make this course all about critical thinking?! turns out this numbnut's got a hidden agenda; trying to implement some new technologies/learning strategies in collaboration w/ something called the Carnegie Foundation? so she's got us doing this stupid critical review crap that has pretty much nothing to do w/ HISTORY & FILM, and all this online garbage.
one of the required submissions we gotta make online is this midterm "reflection" quiz. reflect my ass. the questions/content of this "assignment" were just so bogus that i decided to meet w/ one of the TA's the other day to see whether i was just stupid and didn't get it, or if someone else thought that the whole thing was just as retarded as i did. essentially she did, although she didn't quite use those words (and neither did i of course). aaargghgh...so she's on my side, but couldn't do much except assure me that i could speak my mind as long as i backed it up. so i did. the following is that stupid "quiz" we had to complete, something that enables the prof to think she's actually taught us something i guess (moron!):
1. Please outline the content you expect to include in your ePortfolio. As you know, you are expected to include your reflections on critical thinking and your critical reviews. What other content do you expect to include?
I plan to include the expected content (i.e. Group Critical Film Review, Individual Critical Film Review).
As for other content, apart from a select few of my One Minute Summaries, and perhaps one or two personal examples of how I have used Critical Thinking as I define it in the workplace, I cannot think of anything else of significance that would go in my ePortfolio.
2. Please describe how the content mentioned in question #1 will show your critical thinking development this term.
I believe the content in Question #1 may show how I have applied critical thinking this term, but I do not think it is fair to say that my critical thinking abilities have developed in any signifcant way thus far. I don't see how the instruction (or what little "instruction" there has been at least) in class has really had anything to do with critical thinking.
My One Minute Summaries and Critical Film Reviews may show I have been able to apply critical thinking towards the analysis and interpretation of films as they relate to certain time periods, but this is honestly nothing new. By the way, isn't this course HIST 200? History and Film? I thought Critical Thinking was PHIL 145...
3. Please describe how the use of the ePortfolio is influencing your decisions about what you can include as evidence. How does using an ePortfolio affect what you are planning to include? How does the ePortfolio compare to other methods of assessment: a) term paper; b) final exam; c) group project? Be specific and provide examples.
The use of the ePortfolio will have no influence whatsoever on what I will include as evidence. Using an ePortfolio as opposed to an old-fashioned paper copy allows me to submit items in digital/electronic media.
I think the ePortfolio is an interesting new way of assessment. Actually, I think it would be an excellent tool for both students and teachers, but only if there was sufficient relevant material taught and absorbed throughout the course. As of now: a lot has been absorbed, but nothing significant is being taught.
4. How else do you think you might be able to use an ePortfolio? Please be as specific as possible.
Other than keeping notes for my own personal reflection (or oh I don't know, showing my MOM what I've "learned at school today..."), I do not see any particularly useful purpose for my ePortfolio. In fact, I don't see what compiling all this "critical thinking" has to do with my learning about History & Film. That is the course that I signed up for right?
But then again, perhaps the ePortfolio is useful for the instructor; a way of presenting to themselves (and perhaps others) the "progress" or "enlightenment" that has been occurring in the minds of students throughout the term. There has been a lot of talk about "analysis" and "reflection" from the instructor, but the required guidance for this analysis/reflection has been totally insufficient and confusing.
Furthermore, I really do resent the fact that I feel like I am paying to be part of someone else's experiment. I understand that this new technology is exciting and opens up many new possibilities for students and teachers alike, but before we implement these innovative technologies into a course and bombard students with new methods to express what they've learned, shouldn't we teach them something first?
Sorry, I needed to get that out of my system. I haven't learned ____. Thank you.
(i really did try and hold back. don't wanna come off like i was trying to be some kinda smartass...but this course really pisses me off and i had to let her know.)
in other news, i decided to take a break from meat for tonight *gasp!* =O (don't worry, i'm ok) and had some fish. mmm...rainbow trout filet...very tasty.
i would've taken another picture after i'd finished cooking it, but i just couldn't control myself and i ate it before i got the chance. O_o that calmed me down a bit though. whooosaaa....